and intestines was here and there inflamed; and the inner coat of the former was very much inflamed, and even gangrenous[1] near the pylorus and cardia. The duodenum and jejunum, and likewise the gullet, were in a similar state. The blood in the heart and great vessels was black and fluid.
In the case of the girl referred to by Wibmer, the skin was ochre-yellow, the stomach green, much inflamed, especially near the pylorus, the gullet and intestines also inflamed, the diaphragm red, the brain healthy, the lungs and heart "gorged with thick blood."
In the case of poisoning with carbonate of copper described by Dégrange [p. 348], in which, however, it is probable that death was accelerated by a fall, there was found congestion of the surface of the brain, arborescent redness of the gullet and a green sand over its surface, general greenness of the villous coat of the stomach, with vascularity of the fundus and points of superficial ulceration, greenness of the whole intestines, with black vascular ecchymosed spots and softening, except in the ileum, and redness of the inner surface of the heart. Copper was detected in the contents of the stomach and intestines.
The intestines have been found perforated by ulceration, and their contents thrown out into the sac of the peritonæum. Portal has related one case where the small intestines were perforated, and several where the perforation was in the rectum, which portion of the intestines, as well as the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, was also extensively ulcerated.[2]
The existence of verdigris in the form of powder lining the inside of the stomach after incessant vomiting for three days, is of course an important circumstance in the inspection of the body. But too much reliance ought not to be placed on mere bluish or greenish colouring of the membranes. For Orfila[3] and Guersent[4] have both observed, that the inside of the stomach as well as its contents may acquire these tints in a remarkable degree in consequence of natural disease.
Section IV.—Of the Treatment of Poisoning with Copper.
The treatment of poisoning with the salts of copper has been examined in relation to the antidotes by M. Drouard, M. Marcelin-Duval, Professor Orfila, and M. Postel.
The alkaline sulphurets were at one time thought to be antidotes for the poisons of copper, but without any reason. Drouard found that fifteen grains of verdigris killed a dog in thirty hours, notwithstanding the free use of the liver of sulphur.[5]
Afterwards M. Marcelin-Duval was led from his experiments to
- ↑ Gangrene could not have taken place in thirteen hours. The appearance must have been black extravasation, which has often been mistaken for gangrene. See page 267.
- ↑ Portal sur les effets des vapeurs méphitiques, 436, 439.
- ↑ Orfila, Tox. Gén. i. 530.
- ↑ Dict. des Sciences Médicales, vii. 564.
- ↑ Orfila, Tox. Gén. i. 534.
